What Causes Hangovers? Understanding Acetaldehyde & Inflammation

TL;DR:
Hangovers aren’t caused by alcohol itself — they’re triggered by what your body turns alcohol into: acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that causes inflammation, nausea, headaches and fatigue. Managing that process before damage begins is key to waking up clear-headed.

It’s Not the Alcohol — It’s What Happens After...

Most people think hangovers come from dehydration or lack of sleep (and while those play a role), the biggest villain is a chemical called acetaldehyde.

When you drink, your body breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde — a compound 10 to 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself. It damages tissues, triggers inflammation, and makes you feel like you got hit by a truck the next morning.

The Role of Inflammation in Hangovers

Your immune system treats acetaldehyde like a threat. It releases cytokines — chemical messengers that promote inflammation. This process can lead to:

• Headache
• Brain fog
• Sensitivity to light/sound
• Body aches
• Nausea

Think of it as your body going into temporary chemical chaos — all because it’s trying to protect itself.

How Your Body Tries to Fight Back

Your liver uses an enzyme called ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) to convert acetaldehyde into acetate — a non-toxic substance. But this detox process:

• Can be slow or genetically impaired in some people
• Requires glutathione, your body’s main antioxidant
• Burns through vitamins, especially B1, B6, B12, and Zinc

If your liver can’t keep up, acetaldehyde lingers — and the hangover hits harder.

What Can Help?

This is where a pre-drink supplement like Kylix A.N.T.E. makes all the difference.

Kylix is formulated to help your body:

• Boost glutathione levels with NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
• Support liver detox with milk thistle and L-ornithine
• Reduce nausea with ginger root extract
• Replenish lost nutrients with B-vitamins and zinc

And because you take it before you drink, your system is already primed to handle acetaldehyde before damage and inflammation take hold.

Conclusion: Stop the Problem Before It Starts

Don’t wait until you feel awful to “fix” it. By understanding how hangovers happen, you can stop them at the source — before symptoms start. And that’s exactly what Kylix A.N.T.E. is built for.

Ready to Feel Better Tomorrow?

Try Kylix A.N.T.E. today — the science-backed, pre-drink supplement to help you wake up clear, not cloudy.

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